Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, nuts are mentioned as part of the diet and trade in the ancient Near East, reflecting their value and significance in biblical times. The Hebrew word for nuts, "egoz," appears in the Old Testament, indicating their presence and use among the people of Israel.
Biblical References:1.
Genesis 43:11 · In this passage, Jacob instructs his sons to take a gift to the ruler of Egypt, who is later revealed to be Joseph. The gift includes "some of the best products of the land," among which are nuts. The Berean Standard Bible translates this verse as: "Then their father Israel said to them, 'If it must be so, then do this: Take some of the best products of the land in your bags, and carry them down as a gift for the man—a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachios and almonds.'"
This verse highlights the use of nuts as a valuable commodity and a gesture of goodwill. The specific mention of pistachios and almonds suggests their availability and desirability in the region.
2.
Song of Solomon 6:11 · The Song of Solomon, a poetic book celebrating love and beauty, also references nuts. The BSB translates this verse as: "I went down to the grove of nut trees to see the blossoms of the valley, to see if the vines had budded, or the pomegranates were in bloom."
Here, the "grove of nut trees" is part of a lush and fertile landscape, symbolizing abundance and the beauty of creation. The imagery of nut trees in bloom contributes to the overall theme of growth and flourishing love.
Cultural and Historical Context:Nuts were a staple in the diet of ancient Near Eastern peoples, providing essential nutrients and energy. They were often consumed raw, roasted, or as part of various dishes. The mention of specific nuts like pistachios and almonds in Genesis suggests their cultivation and trade in the region, likely due to their adaptability to the climate and soil conditions.
In addition to their dietary value, nuts held economic significance. They were traded along with other goods such as spices, balm, and honey, indicating their role in commerce and as luxury items. The inclusion of nuts in gifts, as seen in
Genesis 43:11, underscores their status as desirable and esteemed products.
Symbolism and Interpretation:In biblical literature, nuts can symbolize prosperity, fertility, and the blessings of the land. Their presence in the Song of Solomon as part of a verdant landscape enhances the themes of love and beauty, reflecting the divine order and abundance in creation.
From a theological perspective, the mention of nuts in the Bible can be seen as a reminder of God's provision and the richness of His creation. The variety and abundance of food, including nuts, are part of the blessings bestowed upon humanity, encouraging gratitude and stewardship of the earth's resources.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Nutsare mentioned among the good things of the things which the sons of Israel were to take as a present to Joseph in Egypt. (Genesis 43:11) There can scarcely be a doubt that the Hebrew word, here denotes the fruit of the pistachio tree (Pistacia vera), for Syria and Palestine have been long famous. In (Solomon 6:11) a different Hebrew word is translated "nuts." In all probability it here refers to thewalnut tree . According to Josephus the walnut tree was formerly common and grew most luxuriantly around the Lake of Gennesareth.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Were among the presents Jacob sent into Egypt for the purpose of conciliating Joseph (
Genesis 43:11). This was the fruit of the pistachio tree, which resembles the sumac. It is of the size of an olive. In Cant. 6:11 a different Hebrew word (`egoz), which means "walnuts," is used.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
NUTSnuts:
(1) ('eghoz; karua; Arabic jauz, "the walnut" (Songs 6:11)): This is certainly the walnut tree, Juglans regia, a native of Persia and the Himalayas which flourishes under favorable conditions in all parts of Palestine; particularly in the mountains. In such situations it attains the height of from 60 to 90 ft. A grove of such trees affords the most delightful shade.
(2) (boTnim; terebinthoi (Genesis 43:11, margin "pistachio nuts")): The Hebrew is perhaps allied to the Arabic buTm, the "terebinth," which is closely allied to the Pistacia vera, Natural Order Anacardiaceae, which produces pistachio nuts. These nuts, known in Arabic as fistuq, are prime favorites with the people of Palestine. They are oblong, 3/4 inches long, with green, oily cotyledons. They are eaten raw and are also made into various sweets and confectionery. They are a product of Palestine, very likely to be sent as a present to Egypt (Genesis 43:11).
E. W. G. Masterman
Strong's Hebrew
5132.nuts -- flee away, bud forth... 5131, 5132.
nuts. 5133 . flee away, bud forth. Transliteration:
nuts Phonetic
Spelling: (noots) Short Definition: away.
... 5131, 5132.
nuts. 5133 .
...93. egoz --nuts
... 92, 93. egoz. 94 .nuts. Transliteration: egoz Phonetic Spelling: (eg-oze')
Short Definition: nut. Word Origin of uncertain derivation...
992. botnim -- pistachio
... 991, 992. botnim. 993 . pistachio. Transliteration: botnim Phonetic
Spelling: (bo'-ten) Short Definition:nuts. Word Origin from...
Library
I Went Down into the Garden ofNuts to See the Fruits of the...
... CHAPTER VI. 10. I went down into the garden ofnuts to see the fruits of the valley,
and to see whether the vine flourished and the pomegranates budded....
Dialogue Between a Gentleman and a Shepherd.
... Besides these, shops, cocoa-nuts, plantain bunches, and bundles of betel leaves,
innumerable mountebanks, ballad-singers, tumblers, companies of stage-players...
The First Games
... in material things. When Augustin recalls the games of his childhood, he
only mentions "nuts," handball, and birds. To capture a...
Fruits of Recognized Union
... It is opened by the words of the bride:". I went down into the garden ofnuts,....
With Him as well as for Him, she goes to the garden ofnuts....
The Idol which Shed Tears.
... evening. I saw many plantains, cocoa-nuts, and other things, which had
been offered to the idol, scattered about on the ground....
The Greek Philosophy in Great Part Derived from the Barbarians.
... of the Sarman?? who are called Hylobii [1972] neither inhabit cities, nor have roofs
over them, but are clothed in the bark of trees, feed onnuts, and drink...
The Northern Mountains
... Tall trees they are, and glorious to behold, when in full flower; but they are
notorious mostly for their huge fruits and deliciousnuts....
Chapter xliii
... choice fruits of the land in your receptacles and take a present down for the man,
a little balm, and a little honey, gum, laudanum, pistachionuts and almonds...
The Cocal
... or 'store' upon a village green, under the verandah whereof lay, side by side with
bottled ale and biscuit tins, bags of Carapo {265}nuts; trapezoidal brown...
How to Read the Bible
... In a dish ofnuts, you may know which nut has been eaten, because there is a little
hole which the insect has punctured through the shell"just a little hole...
Thesaurus
Nuts (2 Occurrences)... It is of the size of an olive. In Cant. 6:11 a different Hebrew word (`egoz), which
means "walnuts," is used. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
NUTS.
...Pistacia-nuts (1 Occurrence)
Pistacia-nuts. Pistachio, Pistacia-nuts. Pit . Multi-Version
Concordance Pistacia-nuts (1 Occurrence). Genesis 43:11...
Nut (1 Occurrence)
... 4. (n.) A projection on each side of the shank of an anchor, to secure the stock
in place. 5. (vi) To gathernuts. Multi-Version Concordance Nut (1 Occurrence)....
Pistachio (1 Occurrence)
... Take from the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry down a present for
the man, a little balm, a little honey, spices and myrrh,nuts, and almonds...
Shell (1 Occurrence)
... 16. (vt) To strip or break off the shell of; to take out of the shell, pod,
etc.; as, to shellnuts or peas; to shell oysters. 17....
Food (2953 Occurrences)
... Certainnuts were favorite articles of food-pistachionuts (boTnim), almonds (sheqedhim)
and walnuts ('eghoz); and certain spices and vegetables were much used...
Verdure (2 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 6:11 I went down into the garden ofnuts, To see the verdure of the
valley, To see whether the vine budded, Whether the pomegranates blossomed....
Nympha (1 Occurrence)
Orchard (3 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 6:11 I went down into the garden ofnuts to see the green plants of
the valley, and to see if the vine was in bud, and the pomegranate-trees were...
Lid (2 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) The top of an ovary which opens transversely, as in the fruit of the purslane
and the tree which yields Brazilnuts. Multi-Version Concordance...
Resources
Why did the Old Testament Law command against the eating of pork? | GotQuestions.orgIs the paleo diet biblical? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a Daniel Fast? | GotQuestions.orgNuts: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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